Trackpad issues on 2012 MacBook

[Ambrosia7177]

I have a 2012 MacBook that I can't seem to let go of yet, and the trackpad is acting up.

In the morning it clicks fine, but shortly thereafter, it takes a sumo wrestler to click it and hold it down which is a major impediment!

A few questions...

1.) Is it called a "Trackpad" or a "Touchpad"?

2.) Do you think it is failing or just full of crud? (It keeps working in the mornings, so I'm thinking the latter.)

3.) How hard would it be to find a repair shop that can fix this and/or replace the trackpad?

 

[chabig]

Likely your battery is showing it’s age and is beginning to swell, which pushes up on the bottom of the trackpad. It might be time for new one.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Likely your battery is showing it’s age and is beginning to swell, which pushes up on the bottom of the trackpad. It might be time for new one.

So ou think it's a battery issue and not the Trackpad, eh?

Of that is the case, then...

a.) How hard is it to remove the battery and run on pure power?

b.) How hard would it be for me to get a replacement battery?

 

[chabig]

That would be my initial guess. What does System Information say about the condition of your battery?

Removing or replacing the battery on the 2012 MacBook Pro is easy. Here are the instructions for the 15" model. The 13" model should be similar:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2012+Battery+Replacement/10759

Here is the battery for the 13" model: https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/Ma...2009-Mid-2012-Replacement-Battery/IF163-054-2

Here is the battery for the 15" model: https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/Ma...2011-Mid-2012-Replacement-Battery/IF161-107-3

If you choose not to replace the battery, you can take it out and the machine will run fine on AC power. Just make sure you always shut it down before removing the power. Otherwise you risk data loss.

 

[chrfr]

If you choose not to replace the battery, you can take it out and the machine will run fine on AC power. Just make sure you always shut it down before removing the power. Otherwise you risk data loss.

Apple portables only run at half speed when they have no battery installed.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

That would be my initial guess. What does System Information say about the condition of your battery?

Removing or replacing the battery on the 2012 MacBook Pro is easy. Here are the instructions for the 15" model. The 13" model should be similar:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2012+Battery+Replacement/10759

Here is the battery for the 13" model: https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/Ma...2009-Mid-2012-Replacement-Battery/IF163-054-2

Here is the battery for the 15" model: https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/Ma...2011-Mid-2012-Replacement-Battery/IF161-107-3

If you choose not to replace the battery, you can take it out and the machine will run fine on AC power. Just make sure you always shut it down before removing the power. Otherwise you risk data loss.

Is there an alternative to iFixIt for a (reliable) replacement battery? (I have issues with them and don't want to make a purchase from them.)

How much would a decent repalcement battery cost?

Also, is it even wirth the cost?

It's pretty funny that I have two 2015 Retinas that are collecting dust, and I can't seem to get off of this damn computer?!

Problem is two-fold..

First, it is a bitch to migrate all of my data and not end up with an unorganized mess like on my old MacBook, so it's kinda taking time..

Second, a have audio software that doesn't seem to work on my Retina, so until I can figure that out, I'm sticking with my old MacBook.

PITA!

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

www.macsales.com for a battery

Use Carbon Copy Cloner to migrate your data to the retinas. Didn’t realize your MD101 was still in the picture. They’re excellent with an SSD and 16 GB of RAM, but purchase a spare hard drive cable to have on hand.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

www.macsales.com for a battery

Use Carbon Copy Cloner to migrate your data to the retinas. Didn’t realize your MD101 was still in the picture. They’re excellent with an SSD and 16 GB of RAM, but purchase a spare hard drive cable to have on hand.

What is an MD101?

Yes, my 2012 MacBook is still in the picture...

As mentioned, I have had some (unexplainable) audio issues that need to get resolved on my Retina. (Great material for another thread).

Also, instead of just copying 1 TB of garbage onto my Retina, I am trying to clean out old data and organize things before I move them over.

So it's a real PITA that my trackpad isn't working.

Is my old MacBook worth $100 to replace the battery, or is this a sign it's time to pitch my old laptop and start using my Retina full-time?!

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Buy a $5 USB mouse and use a retina

 

[Fishrrman]

Open the back and check the battery.
It may -- or may NOT -- be swollen.
If it is swollen, you'll want to replace it.
Try Other World Computing for a replacement.

If the battery is NOT swollen, it could be the trackpad itself.
I'm thinking the trackpad on these is easily replaceable, and the part isn't much $$$.
Go to ifixit.com to see what's involved in changing it.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

OMG! I feel like a 10-ton weight has been lifted off of me.

Just popped the case and my battery is swollen like a pregnant sow!

Took it out, and now it's like I have a new trackpad and keyboard!

It's amazing when things go SOuth, how long it can take you to realize that there is a problem.

Pressing down on my trackpad has required Herculean effort, but it has been so gradual I never noticed!

This also explains why my typing seemed to go to Hell in the last couple of months.

Thank God for a quick vistory!

Am going to run without a battery for now and be sure not to bump my power cord, and will order a new battery today.

I would have never guessed it was the battery, so thanks!!

 

[fredlave]

Amazon has good prices on laptop batteries. I just bought one (RayHom) for $35. It's an easy install.